Broom bridle



Patented Get. 1, 1929 fiddled BROOM BRIDLE Application filed April 18,

This invention relates to devices for maintaining brooms, of ordinary types as commonly used for floor sweeping, in proper condition for operation.

Brooms, as usually constructed of broom corn straws, include a handle set firmly in the upper or head portion of the broom, which is laced, sewed and wire bound above its curved main portion that blends into a wide but th1n 10 bush-like element in which the straws are unconfined except at their upper ends; consequently spreading outwardly at the bottom and particularly at the narrow edges takes place.

This condition occurs more rapidly if the broom is allowed to stand upright on its bottom and is aggravated if the broom is moistened, the straws readily bending by reason of the weight of the broom.

Various expedients have been tried to avoid these conditions, under which the broom soon deteriorates, nearly all consisting of channelled elements constrained by helically wound springs which extend outwardly from 25 the sides and edges of the broom and act unpremeditatedly to scratch and mar the finish of furniture legs, mop boards and other objects with which they are brought into forcible contact in using the broom.

Another disadvantage that such metal springs have is that if stretched beyond their elastic limit they become useless and are not conveniently replaceable.

Having these matters in view, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a bridle, adjustable at will over the lower portion of the broom, and in which the constricting elements are not only elastic but flat, closely adherent and wholly incapable of damaging any object with which they may be brought in contact.

A further feature is in the provision of a bridle by which a broom may be maintained in its original'normal condition until worn 45 out, the bridle being attractive in appearance, inexpensive to construct and easy to apply.

Another aim is to produce a broom bridle applicable alike to thick and thin brooms, as well as to brooms of various widths.

These several advantageous features are 1928. Serial No. 270,870.

accomplished by the novel construction and perspective view of the bridle Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 55 of Figure 4. I As usually constructed, the broom consists of a long handle, designated by the numeral 10, the same being rigidly set in the cen ter of the essentially solid upper portion of the broom head 11, wired as at 12 and sewed at 13. The broom head is curved downwardly to blend into the divergently inclined rounded edges 14 and fiat sides 15 of the narrow main portion of the broom between the edges, the

bottom being flat and at right angles with the handle, and as the broom straws are unsupported'below the seam 13, except by mutual contact, are easily distorted, particularly when in a moistened and hence softened condition.

The simple form of bridle, shown in Figures 1 to 3 is composed of two sheet metal shells 16, essentially semi-cylindrical in crosssection and of a length compatible with the broom head to which they are applied, preferably to extend from near the bottom nearly to its rigid upper portion, these shells being applied to the inclined narrow edges to which they are conformably curved.

Each shell is sheared centrally in its end portions to produce pairs of opposed loops or catches 17 oifset slightly outward and open along their sides and proximate edges.

Encircling the body of the broom and shells 16 are heavy, endless, fiat rubber bands 18 passed through the loops 17 to be clasped by them and held in adjusted position, these bands obviously permitting self-adjustment of the shells to su t the inclined edges of the broom and closely embrace the broom straws, preventing undue flexing and maintaining the broom in its initial shape and appearance.

The modified form of bridle, shown in Figures 4 and 5, presents the same general characteristics of close conformation and in addition is adapted to suit brooms of Varying thickness.

This is accomplished by making the edge confining shells in two longitudinal sections 2021 disposed at the edge corners, these shells having loops 2223 at their end portions in which are engaged the bands 24 hold- Iiongi the shells in close contact with the broom It is to be noted that the bands present a soft cushion effect if brought in contact with an object by the broom, incapable of abrading or doing injury and further, such bands are inexpensive and easily procurable.

Although we have described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is understood that minor changes in construction and details thereof may be made without depart ing from the spirit or scope of the hereto appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A broom bridle comprising elongated guards fitting the edges of the broom, loops extending from said guards near their end portions, said loops being open at their prox imate ends and at their sides, and endless flat rubber bands encircling the broom and said guards and clasped by said loops.

2. A broom bridle comprising pairs of metal elongated guardscurved to conform to the edges of a broom each pair being divided longitudinally to produce uniform sections, integral clips on each section near the ends thereof, and endless flat rubber vbands engaged by said clips to compress the guard sections on the broom.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

HUBERT REISER. FRANZ REISER. 

